bribe

Everyday

1. Money or a gift given to someone to make them do something dishonest or unfair, such as break a rule. tree →
2. (verb) To offer someone money or a gift to make them do what you want, often wrongly. tree →
3. (informal, joking) A treat given to get a child to do something ("a sweet as a bribe"). tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories, law and ethics lessons (bribing a judge or police officer is a crime) and jokingly in family life. It tells the reader someone is trying to buy a decision. Phrases: take a bribe, offer a bribe, bribe someone with.

Examples

• The guard took a bribe and let the thief go. tree →
• It is against the law to bribe a police officer. tree →
• Mum bribed us with ice cream to tidy our rooms. tree →
• The judge refused the bribe. tree →
• I won't take a bribe, said the referee. tree →
• My little brother can be bribed with stickers. tree →
• Offering a bribe can lead to prison. tree →
• Eriphyle, unable to withstand the tempting bait, accepted the bribe, and thus Amphiaraus was compelled to join the army. tree →

Note

Noun: bribery (the crime). Verb bribe, bribed (drop e, add -ed). A reward for good work is not a bribe; a bribe is to make someone do something unfair. In families the word is often used as a joke.

In Jewish tradition

A bribe is a gift taken to twist justice. The Torah calls the person who takes one cursed, especially if it leads to killing the innocent.

Interpretation. The rabbis taught that judges must never take gifts, even to judge fairly, because a gift blinds the eyes of the wise.

Examples

• Cursed be he that taketh a bribe to slay an innocent person. (Torah DEU.27.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• In whose hands is craftiness, and their right hand is full of bribes. (Writings PSA.26.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• He that putteth not out his money on interest, nor taketh a bribe against the innocent. (Writings PSA.15.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted justice. (Prophets 1SA.8.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Noun: bribery (the crime). Verb bribe, bribed (drop e, add -ed). A reward for good work is not a bribe; a bribe is to make someone do something unfair. In families the word is often used as a joke.